Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and family among 7 killed in North Carolina plane crash
STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children are among the seven people killed in a plane crash in North Carolina. The Cessna C550 crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte. Records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions. The Statesville airport serves NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies. NASCAR says the news is devastating. The 55-year-old Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits.
NASCAR mourns the loss of Greg Biffle, family in tragic plane crash in North Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died in a North Carolina plane crash along with his wife, two children and three others. He was 55. Biffle won championships in the Truck and Xfinity Series and drove for years in the Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle was also recognized for his aid work after Hurricane Helene, using his helicopter to deliver supplies. He returned to racing briefly in 2022 after semi-retirement in 2016. Biffle’s legacy includes 54 wins and a deep love for flying. Tributes have poured in from the racing community and beyond.
Rams WR Puka Nacua apologizes for antisemitic gesture, saying he was unaware of offensive meaning
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua has apologized for making a gesture linked to antisemitic tropes during an internet livestream. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Nacua said he was unaware of the gesture’s antisemitic connections and apologized. Nacua appeared on a livestream with internet personality Adin Ross, who suggested the gesture as a touchdown celebration. California congressman Eric Swalwell criticized Nacua, calling it insensitive after a recent Hanukkah attack in Sydney. Nacua also criticized NFL referees during the stream.
WNBA players union authorizes negotiators to call a strike if needed during CBA talks
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary. That’s according to an announcement Thursday by the WNBPA. The union and league have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire Jan. 9. This move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks. The union said there was overwhelming support in the vote to allow the executive council to call for a strike when it sees fit. Players and owners have been negotiating regularly.
Receiver Jakobi Meyers and the Jaguars agree to a 3-year, $60M extension, AP source says
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says receiver Jakobi Meyers and the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to terms on a three-year, $60 million contract extension that includes $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither side disclosed financial details. The Jaguars traded two 2026 draft picks — fourth- and sixth-rounders — to Las Vegas to acquire Meyers at the trade deadline in early November. The 29-year-old Meyers has 27 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns in six games with Jacksonville, becoming Trevor Lawrence’s most dependable receiver.
Betting interest wanes as 1st round of College Football Playoff lacks excitement
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Bettors aren’t rushing to place wagers on the opening week of this season’s College Football Playoff, except for Friday night’s Alabama-Oklahoma showdown. The presence of two Group of Five teams, Tulane and James Madison, as underdogs has lessened excitement. Mississippi is favored over Tulane, and Oregon over James Madison. Joey Feazel from Caesars Sportsbook says excitement may increase in later rounds. The most anticipated matchup is Oklahoma against Alabama, and the betting line has been fluctuating. Ohio State remains the overall favorite despite losing the Big Ten championship. Lane Kiffin’s absence from Ole Miss adds uncertainty to its playoff performance.
Ole Miss bracing for a better Tulane team in College Football Playoff opener
At first glance, Tulane’s visit to Ole Miss for a first-round College Football Playoff game looks like a mismatch of a rematch. Circumstances have changed, however, since the Rebels routed the Green Wave 45-10 back on Sept. 20. The 11th-seeded Green Wave are 11-2 and have evolved into a more cohesive squad on the way to an American Conference title. The Rebels are 11-1 and in the midst of a coaching transition following the untimely departure of Lane Kiffin for rival LSU. Golding says Tulane has looked a much improved team lately and that the Rebels know they’ll have their hands full. But so will Tulane. Odds makers has listed Ole Miss as more than two-touchdown favorites.
In 2025, Trump told FIFA, Olympics and NCAA to get in line. For the most part, they complied
Whether he was accepting awards from FIFA, attending the Ryder Cup as a specially invited guest or hosting Olympic leaders at the White House, President Donald Trump figured out how to get himself in the headlines for sports stories, while also shaping those sports to fit his own worldview. In 2025, Trump and other U.S. politicians made inroads into sports in ways that will have a lasting impact. Among the most visceral examples are an executive order designed to prohibit transgender athletes from women’s sports — a policy adopted by the NCAA and Olympic leaders. Meanwhile, the country’s newly stringent immigration policy could have a profound impact on next year’s World Cup and the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
Titans’ Jeffery Simmons grateful his mom wasn’t at his home during armed burglary
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is grateful his mother wasn’t at his house watching him on TV when burglars broke in carrying guns and other weapons. Simmons said Thursday he can replace all the items that were stolen. He said losing a family member would’ve hurt far more than having his home broken into. Simmons discovered his home had been burglarized when he found his garage door open after returning from a road loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Simmons choked up while talking about the burglars. He described as looking like boys or young adults carrying weapons.
Bucks’ Antetokounmpo says his focus is on his health rather than rumors about his future
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s more focused on getting healthy and helping the Milwaukee Bucks turn their season around than dealing with rumors about his future plans. Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since a Dec. 3 ESPN report indicated that he and his agent were talking with Bucks officials about whether he’s best suited to stay in Milwaukee or get traded. Antetokounmpo strained his right calf in a victory over the Detroit Pistons that night and hasn’t played since.